Top 10 Cameroonian Producers you should know

Once upon a time in Cameroon people didnt even care about who produced a song, nowadays you cant even get to any blog, see a cover art without the name of a producer written on it. cameroonian music is gathering momentum and its on its way to make a psychedelic effect on the continent. Creative producers have been the brains behind high quality songs that gained massive airplay in cameroon , Africa and the world. Today if you see Foreigners vibing and getting along with cameroonian songs, it is thanks to this Hitmakers who have spent endless time in mastering their craft, to give the public such killer songs you listen to on a daily basis.  That these songs are talked about very often and fancied across the country is a testament of the quality of work producers put into making the beats. Below are the  highly sought after music producers from Cameroon who have made their mark in the music making waves in the country and beyond. This list aims at shedding spotlight on the big names behind the creative direction of  the music being produced  from Cameroon , they are responsible for almost all the hit songs currently.

1.Le Monstre 

Ndukong Godlove Nfor known by  his producer pseudonym Le Monstre and also by his Stage name Jovi  is  a rapper, songwriter, sound engineer, entrepreneur, and record producer  based in Yaounde Cameroon. Jovi who happens to be  the Boss of his Label New Bell Music , Is the most hardworking and most successful producer from Cameroon. Le Monstre has been producing professionally for more than 5 years. We had a little glimpse of his production in his Album H.I.V which is the most classical, professional  album the Music industry has seen till date. He produced classics such as Don 4 kwat, 2much ft Magasco  and a couple of other songs in his debut album when he was still signed Under Mumak. The positive response from fans definitely made him to work even harder.  After starting his own label around 2013, Le monstre’s production fingers were fusing hot  to make hits he had always wanted to gain the artistic pride which Cameroon had lost over the years. What makes him unique and difficult to copy is his creativity, he is able to blend the different Cameroonian cultures to yield a seemingly outrageous outcome. Today Le Monstre is known as one of the continent’s most original producers of African hip hop. He fuses trap, electronic, industrial, and other genres with Cameroonian rhythms and instrumentation.  Instead of using the technique of traditional hip hop sampling, he creates original samples in his music, reason why he has been gaining much attention from International Magazines such as The Fader in the USA and many more. Le Monstre has produced more than 100 songs with more still to come. His production on his MbokoGod album earned him  a nomination at the prestigious Kora Awards 2016. Le Monstre produced hit singles such as  La sauce(Reniss), Akon (Shine the light),Et p8 koi(Jovi ), Cash(Jovi), Don 4 wkat(Jovi), Dashiki (Reniss), Zele(Jovi),  Reniss(Michael Jackson ft Jovi) and other classics such as  Check sense(Jovi ft Pascal), Nencho(Jovi), Mongshung(Jovi), Mon Nom(Tilla ft Pascal), Kana Kana(Pascal) etc. With this very juicy profile it was just right that he earned the number 1 spot.

2. Salatiel

Salatiel  known by many as a Music Artist is also a producer who can easily switch his production prowess to any genre of music, R&B, soul, hip hop, makossa, Afrobeat etc. Salatiel who happens to be Label Boss of Alpha Better Records is also the Mentor, musical trainer and producer of Mr Leo.  He started learning how to produce in November 2007, and kicked off profesionally in 2008. Salatiel has produced hundreds of songs, some of the high profile  Artists he has produced are Nar6 Pryze “sasayé”, Annie Anzouer,  Sergio pollo, Manu dibango, Dynastie le Tigre, Locko, Coco Argentee, One Rocky, Petit Champion, Mr Leo etc. Salatiel has caught the attention of many foreign artists, and he is currently producing a song for Skales, Debordeaux ft Mr leo and many more surprises coming soon. Salatiel has produced hits like  E go betta, Fap kolo, On va Gerer, Dingue de toi by Dynastie le tigre, Ca se passe ici and Kemayo by Mr Leo just to name a few. Salatiel has proven in all capacities his artistry in producing an avalanche of tunes. His works are so extensive to list, from the few it is easy to relate why he earns spot 2.

3. Dijay pazzo

4. Winney

Winney Stand is a Cameroonian producer based in Yaounde. Winney is also known for his versatility across different genres. He started of his production journey in 2007 and has since then produced a huge number of songs. Winney has made a name from  a number of hit songs he has produced such as Babaah, touh mbap for Featurist. Allez for Daphne Alemok for Michael kiessou. Nsongo for makon and many other songs still in the pipeline. With this profile it was only right that his spot is well deserved. Winney has proven he is upto the task in his many years as a producer, and it’s exciting to see what he’ll accomplish as his talents refine with time.

5. Ivo Trilby

The list won’t be Valid without  Ivo Trilby on it. Ivo is a certified producer for hits, he has been producing for 7 years now. He  is responsible for Maahlox’s hit  songs such as  “Ca sort come Ca sort”, “Tuer pour Tuer”, “Tu montes tu descends”,and many other songs from Maahlox. He has produced for other upcoming  acts such as  Ztra , Tity-p, Yoriday etc. He cuts the image of a genius in the Cameroon music industry and the list would have been irrelevant if he didnt make the cut . He currently is the main producer for the Label Zone2rap based in Yaounde.With Ivo, you can be guaranteed that more hits will be coming your way.

6. Softouch Beats

Softouch Beats known by some as Softouch  is a douala based soundproducer, sound designer and beatmaker. He started learning how to be a beatmaker and producer  low key in 2005 and professionally in 2010.  Softouch has also produced a good number of songs in his career. He has produced for home based Artist such As Stanley Enow , métissage, edel koula, Paul henry (aka janea), beko sadey, tzy panchako etc. Well Softouch is not only well known at home, he is currently producing songs for Artist from Tchad such as  ANNE ,ABZIZ, JDR and many more Top African Artists in the pipeline.  Some of the Hit Songs/ popular songs he has produced are  Stanley Enow ft Sarkodie(Njama Njama Cow),King Kong(Stanley enow ft Dj Neptune) , Bounce(Stanley enow ft Locko ,AKA) , i will be waiting  and have a dream(ft BILL MUICHA) for Stanley Enow. Softouch has made a name for himself and is one of the most hard working and prolific producers the Cameroonian Music Industry has got.

7. Phillbill beats

Phillbill is a blessing to the Cameroon music industry, His many years of experience has  journeyed him to become a powerhouse in the music industry. He started producing for his group Rythmz and a couple of buea based artist some years back, Since then his repertoire includes some of Africa’s leading musicians and celebrities such as X Maleya , Lady Ponce etc. He is best known for blending Bikutsi,  Pop and Makossa to give a unique feel and originality to his beats. Working with a good number of names in the industry he has been the brain behind smashing hits like “kum kum”(Xmaleya) the now trending hit song by Minks  “Le gars la est Laid”, Rythmz (Me & You), X Malaya(Ndoumba), Madame Tout le Monde(Rythmz ft Mr Leo ), Mimie (Dance Fi U) and lots more.  we’ll be hearing a lot more from him as time goes by.

8. Slimbeatz

9.  Edi le drae

Edi is one of the most popular producers from Buea town. He started producing  in 2007 and has since worked very hard to master his craft and be one of the best in the Industry. Although his Clients are mostly Hip Hop based, he is very versatile and produces, cutting across all possible Genres. Some of the Popular songs he has produced are Versace by Ebako, Turn Up by Nabila Rodriguez , Ngoma Sort De ce corps, Mihney – Depuis Kan, Crispy – small no be sick, Minks –  Le Number de ma Nga etc.

10. Dijay Karl

when you hear Dijay Karl pon the beat at the beginning of any song, know you are about to sweat it out. Karl is a Buea-based prodigy who is rapidly becoming a household name in the industry.  He has produced songs for Many Cameroonian acts including Inspi(Ngombele), Neglect(Aboloshi, Fool4u) , VreezyVille’s “Jakiri” , Askia’s (No worry Me), Da Charmin Prince ft. Melcube – Burst My Brain, Cliche(Dj karl, Roqzen, Neglect, Dready ).He is quite promising and definitely merits a spot in the top 10.

There are many Producers that didnt make  the top 10 but deserve some recognition some of which are

–Stormzkillit(Again and Again by Tom Kingue ,Minks(Le number de ma nga))

–Beat Baller(Seriously ft Coolkid)   and many others. Did you feel your favorite producer didn’t make the list?  comment your opinion below.